Blog Posts by Sunset Magazine

Treat yourself to one of these great drives, islands, beach towns, lakes, or wilderness escapes .

Splashy adventures in Kremmling, CO
This a real-deal ranching town at the confluence of the Colorado, Blue, and Muddy Rivers serves up splashy outdoor adventures for summer, from rafting to dips in hot springs.
> More: Splash around in Kremmling, CO

Poolside R&R in Palm Springs, CA
Palm Springs in summer? Yep, we said it. Zero crowds, killer deals, and a pool around every corner make this the place to be.
> More: Unwind by the pool in Palm Springs, CA

Climb to your heart's content in Lander, WY
Dip into Lander, Wyoming, a cool town of climbers, killer coffee, and cowboys. Epic hiking trails also await you there.
> More: Get sporty in Lander, WY

Sizzling deals in Scottsdale, AZ
In Scottsdale, expect summer temps of triple digits with a chance of more triple digits. But hotels and resorts-even the ultraposh ones-drop their room rates by as much as

Add heat-tolerant flowers and features to your yard and enjoy their beauty all summer.

Jerusalem sage (Phlomis fruticosa)
Tall stems of these Mediterranean natives are set with widely-spaced, hooded yellow flowers.

Moisture-conserving thick, typically furry or hairy leaves are lance-shaped. Pretty planted with lavender and red hot poker (Kniphofia 'Bressingham Comet').
> More about Jerusalem sage

'Hot Cocoa' rose
This floribunda rose bears red blossoms.

'Moonshine' yarrow
The sunny hues of this Mediterranean perennial complement the violet-blue spikes of catmint (Neetpa).
> More about 'Moonshine' yarrow

'Sally Holmes' rose
A vigorous white rose, it blooms in huge clusters.
> More about the 'Sally Holmes' rose

Feather reed grass
Calamagrostis x acutiflora has a vertical growth habit and showy seed heads.

Berberis thunbergii 'Rose Glow'
The bronzy red Japanese barberry colors up best in full

Create your own curl-up space on a patio, deck, or private cabana.

Refresh your look with interior design tips you can use in any room

From gourmet sundaes to ice cream pies, these cool treats are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Don't miss our editors' picks for the season's best happenings for foodies, art buffs, music lovers, and more.

Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland OR, June - Oct
The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, a stunning showcase of pantaloons and farthingales, draws 400,000 visitors. The action centers on the Elizabethan stage, an eye-popping ode to the playwright's Globe Theatre. osfashland.org

SFJazz Summerfest, Palo Alto, CA, June 14 - Aug 16
Get ready for all the funky, soulful, smooth music you can handle. At SFJazz Summerfest, top local musicians from the Bay area delight crowds every Thursday over ten weeks. In past years, greats like the Scott Amendola quartet (pictured) have played. sfjazz.org/sfjazz-summerfest

Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Telluride, CO, June 21-24
Mornings at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival begin with a blast of bagpipes, as campers flood the gates in a landgrab. Roughing it does have its advantages, though: Fingerpickers like

Treat the gang to easy cocktails, perfect grilled dishes, our best sides, and star-spangled dessert.

Light up the weekend with a star-spangled lantern, red-white-and-blue tabletop, and more.

Secret garden night lights
Eden Rodriguez, owner of End Design in Santa Rosa and Mill Valley, places garden stake lights or a small battery-operated camping lantern under tablecloths.

To hide an electrical cord, she parts the grass, tucks in the cord, and stakes it with a U-shaped piece of wire. If you're using electric lights, keep fabric 2 feet from the bulb.

For extra shine, you can create a table covering from brightly colored ― and inexpensive taffeta. Use fusing tape to secure panels together and tuck unhemmed edges underneath.

Lawn stars
This Fourth of July, let a few lawn stars brighten up your celebration. They're ideal alongside a walkway or next to your picnic table.
> Get full directions

Festive tabletop for the Fourth
Here's a quick way to tap those patriotic colors with contemporary style.

Make star luminarias
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